"Certainly, but my only intention was to keep but ah--strangers
and--intruders. You know, Mr. Stanton, I would be no party to robbery,
and, indeed, I do not believe 'for a moment that any robbery was
intended. It was an unfortunate eagerness on the part of Crawley to
secure his winnings that precipitated the trouble. I really hope you do
not think me capable of anything of the sort."

Macfarren's manner was abject, but his tone was evidently sincere.

"You were unfortunate in your company, then, Mr. Macfarren. Come on,
Ike. We are done with this gang. Lucky I was not quite slewed, or my
creditors would have been in mourning to-morrow. Mr. Macgregor, where
do you put up?"

"He's with me to-night," said Ike, "and a mighty fortunate circumstance
it was for us all. This here business had got beyond my capabilities..
Some of us need a keeper."

"That's me, Ikey. Yes, I know. Rub it in. It's a keeper I need. Well, I
give you my word I am done with this gang. Fool! Fool!" he continued
bitterly, "a cursed fool, Ikey. Three years of it now."

"That's what," said Ikey, leading the way down the street. "For the
past two years, boss, you know you've beat me. Though I don't hold
myself out as no sort of paradox--"

"Paragon, Ikey," said The Kid, with a gentle laugh. He always found his
cowboy's English amusing.

"Paragon, eh? Well, all the same, I aint no sort of paragon, but I know
where to stop."

"Where are we now, Ike? At the end of the rope, eh?"

"No, by the livin' Gimmini! but gettin' there on the jump," said Ike,
with grave emphasis.

Without further conversation they made their way through the dark
streets till they reached Ike's shack.

The doctor lay still asleep in the corner.

"He kidnapped him," was Ike's explanation to The Kid, nodding his head
toward Shock. "So I'd advise that you hitch on to the preacher here for
a period. Give him the job of windin' you up."

"Could you undertake that, do you think?" There was a curious smile on
the boy's face, but an undertone of seriousness in his voice.

"No," said Shock gravely, "I could not undertake that."

"You see, Ike, I am too uncertain. Too far gone, I guess."

Ike was too puzzled to reply. He had a kind of dim idea that in Shock
there was some help for his boss, and he was disappointed at Shock's
answer.

For some time Shock sat in silence, looking at the fire. His heart was
sore. He felt his helplessness. This clever, gay-hearted young fellow,